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29 Oct 2007 : Column WA135
29 Oct 2007 : Column WA135
29 Oct 2007 : Column WA135
Monday 29 October 2007
Abortion
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they will take in the light of the evidence submitted by Dr Vincent Argent, medical director of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee that he had observed (a) doctors authorising abortions who (i) signed batches of forms before patients are seen for consultation; (ii) signed the forms with no knowledge of the particular patient and without reading the notes; (iii) signed forms without seeing or examining the patients; (iv) signed forms after the abortion had been performed; and (v) faxed the forms to other locations for signature; and (b) clinics using signature stamps without consultation with the doctor. [HL5546]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The department takes the monitoring of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, very seriously, including the procedures around the handling of HSA1 and HSA4 forms, and will investigate if we are notified of any individual operating outside of the Act.
Dr Argent clarified, when giving oral evidence to the Science and Technology Committee on 17 October 2007, that he had not seen anyone operating outside of the Act.
Airports: Heathrow
Baroness Valentine asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received regarding the Competition Commission's proposals to cap the rate of return for investment in Heathrow Airport. [HL5622]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The process of setting price caps is independent of the Government. We have received no direct formal representations on the Competition Commission's report. We do of course, however, continue to engage with the relevant parties—the CAA, BAA and the Competition Commission—in the normal course of business.
The Competition Commission's report, A Report on the Economic Regulation of the London Airports Companies (Heathrow Airport Ltd and Gatwick Airport Ltd), September 2007, can be found at www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=5&;pagetype=90& pageid=8779.
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Animal Welfare: Sheep and Goats
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received representations from sheep and goat keepers about the welfare of animals suffering torn and infected ears as a result of compulsory ear tagging; and when it is proposed that electronic identification of sheep and goats will be introduced. [HL5742]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): It is important that ear tagging is carried out correctly to ensure that the welfare of animals is protected. Taking care will also minimise ear tag losses and associated problems. The relevant guidelines, available on the Defra website, should be followed carefully to ensure that the ear tag is correctly applied and to avoid unnecessary pain or distress to animals.
We are awaiting a report and proposal from the European Commission as to when electronic identification of sheep and goats will be introduced. Because the UK goat herd is below the size threshold for mandatory electronic identification, this will apply only to sheep.
Banking: Northern Rock
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether all HM Treasury guarantees currently applicable will be withdrawn in the event of a change of control at Northern Rock plc; and, if not, on what basis they could be continued. [HL5410]
Lord Davies of Oldham: I refer the noble Lord to the Chancellor’s oral Statement on 11 October.
Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Financial Services Authority relaxed the capital requirements relating to Northern Rock during 2007; and, if so, in what respects. [HL5527]
Lord Davies of Oldham: This is a matter for the FSA. In accordance with the capital requirements directive, the FSA agreed that the firm could move to the Basle 2 regime for determining regulatory capital requirements in July.
BBC: World Service
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What funding they provide to the BBC World Service; for what purpose they provide this funding; and how its success or otherwise is monitored and by whom. [HL5649]
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will provide grant in aid of £239.5 million to the BBC World Service (BBCWS) in financial year 2007-08. BBCWS is funded by the FCO because the provision of independent news and information to audiences around the world supports the achievement of the Government's strategic priorities.
BBCWS is monitored through agreed public service agreement measures such as targets for its global audience and the use of its online services. There are also regular financial meetings to ensure that public money is spent appropriately.
Border and Immigration Agency
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the annual cost and the total number of persons employed by the Border and Immigration Agency; and whether limitations or restrictions are placed on employment in the agency of (a) non-United Kingdom citizens; (b) non-European Union citizens; and (c) citizens of Commonwealth countries. [HL5644]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The current workforce in the Border and Immigration Agency is 18,798 and the budget for 2007-08 for staff is £636 million.
The nationality of employees in the Border and Immigration Agency is restricted to UK citizenship, European Economic Area or Commonwealth citizenship in all but the exceptional circumstances set out in the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act 1919.
British Citizenship
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will place in the Library of the House the letter from the consulate-general of Nepal (ref: HK/NCCR/3811, dated 7 August 2007) to the British consulate-general in Hong Kong. [HL5548]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The letter from the Nepalese consulate-general in Hong Kong (ref: HK/NCCR/3811, dated 7 August 2007) to our consulate-general in Hong Kong will be placed in the Library of the House.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why Mr RMMC (CTS Ref: M9584/7, 23 May 2007) has not received his British citizenship certificate some five months after Ministers confirmed that he has been registered as a British citizen and that his certificate would shortly be delivered to him in Hong Kong. [HL5549]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The delay is very much regretted. Unfortunately, Mr RMMC’s papers do not provide the reason why the certificate was delayed. A fresh certificate has been produced and sent via the British consulate in Hong Kong. Officials will ensure that this is delivered.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will place in the Library of the House documents pertaining to the reasons and background of Section 2(2) of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990. [HL5550]
Lord West of Spithead: I have carefully considered the noble Lord’s request but have concluded that it would not be appropriate to release the documents requested. To do so would be contrary to the public interest in avoiding harm to international relations and ensuring that officials are candid in the policy advice they submit to Ministers. I can confirm, however, that no commencement order has been made in respect of Section 2(2) of the 1990 Act and that we have no plans to bring it into force.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, having regard to the Chinese Nationality Law promulgated by the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 10 September 1980 and the clarifications concerning implementation of Chinese Nationality Law in Hong Kong, adopted on 15 May 1996, a person who is a British national (overseas) and is of Chinese ethnicity or race would be entitled to registration under Section 1 of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 under the following circumstances (a) he was born outside the Chinese territories, including Hong Kong; (b) he does not satisfy the criteria laid down in Article 5 of the Chinese Nationality Law to be a Chinese national by descent; (c) he has never been naturalised as a Chinese citizen; (d) he is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong at the time of the application for registration; (e) immediately before 4 February 1997 he (i) was ordinarily resident in Hong Kong; (ii) was a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue only of his having a connection with Hong Kong (within the meaning given by the Schedule to the 1997 Act); and (iii) held no other nationality other than British national (overseas); (f) since 4 February 1997 he has held no nationality or citizenship other than as set out above; and (g) he satisfies the requirements of Section 58 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. [HL5689]
Lord West of Spithead: From the information provided it would appear that such a person would qualify for registration as a British citizen.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Home Office has had any communication with the Government of Nepal since 1 September pertaining to clarification on
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Lord West of Spithead: There has been no communication on this matter since 1 September.
Burundi: Corruption
Lord Jones of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to offer assistance to the Government of Burundi to stamp out corruption. [HL5670]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): Burundi faces an enormous challenge in fighting corruption. We are working with the Netherlands and the International Monetary Fund to target corruption through support to the Ministry of Finance to speed up implementation of the Public Financial Management Reform Programme.
Additionally, we have built monitoring mechanisms into the UK’s major assistance programmes in health, education and governance that should help strengthen Burundi's financial management systems.
Through our £10 million bilateral assistance programme, the Government remain committed to working with Burundi to meet the challenges it faces.
Buses
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are planning to carry out a review of the safety and utility of articulated bendy buses. [HL5666]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: All public service vehicles operating on our roads are inspected prior to entering service to ensure they comply with the relevant safety requirements. The Department for Transport is currently reviewing the safety of all heavy vehicles and will decide on priorities for buses and coaches in the light of the findings.
Civil Service Improvements
Lord Hunt of Chesterton asked Her Majesty's Government:
In light of their policy to improve delivery in government services, whether individuals who deliver success in this respect are rewarded with promotion; and whether a higher proportion of permanent secretaries are being appointed who have had operational experience outside Whitehall as a result of the policy. [HL5657]
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Lord Davies of Oldham: Appointments and promotion at all levels in the Civil Service are based on merit determined by an assessment of an individual's skills and experience against the competencies required for the role in question.
Data are not collected on the proportion of permanent secretaries being appointed who have had operational experience outside Whitehall. However, recorded information shows that 56 per cent of permanent secretaries have experience (12 months or more) working outside of Whitehall in the private, wider public, or international sectors.
Climate Change: Sustainable Development
Lord Hunt of Chesterton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the climate agency has been granted powers to propose integrated policies and infrastructure projects for sustainable development that would require long-term funding to be provided from several government departments in order for their delivery to be achieved. [HL5656]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The London Climate Change Agency Ltd is a commercial company wholly owned and controlled by the London Development Agency. It has not been granted any statutory powers to propose policies and infrastructure projects to the Government.
Competitiveness
Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by Lord Davies of Oldham on 23 October (Official Report, col. 979) that “the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness report placed the UK 10th out of 125 countries in its ranking of international competitiveness”, what was the position of the United Kingdom in the forum's global competitiveness index for each of the years 1996 to 2006. [HL5741]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The World Economic Forum has produced a “global competitiveness index” (GCI) only since 2006. Prior to 2006, the World Economic Forum produced a “growth competitiveness index” which was a narrower measure of competitiveness than the GCI. The position of the UK in the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness index for 2006 and growth competitiveness index for the years 1996-2005 is as follows:
| Year | UK position |
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